LAPD Continues Ocean Search For Missing Ex-WWE Star Shad Gaspard

VENICE, CA — Los Angeles Police were looking for missing former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard in the ocean near Venice Tuesday and asked the public's help for any information leading to his location.

Officials were searching by air and ocean and released more information to the public Tuesday.

"Shad Gaspard was last seen by a Los Angeles County lifeguard about 3:40 p.m. (Sunday) as he swam in the ocean about 50 yards from Venice Beach in the county of Los Angeles," a Los Angeles Police Department statement said. "When last seen by the lifeguard, a wave had crashed over (him) and he was swept out to sea."

The incident occurred near the 4200 block of S. Ocean Front Walk, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. County lifeguards pulled Gaspard's 10- year-old son from the water. He was evaluated by LAFD paramedics but did not require hospitalization.

The elder Gaspard, however, was nowhere to be found, prompting divers to begin a search of the water.

Underwater searching was halted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, and the effort resumed shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard Division. Dive operations were suspended later Monday.

On Tuesday, the LAPD listed the case as a missing-persons investigation.

Gaspard was a star with World Wrestling Entertainment, making up one half of the tag team Cryme Time with his partner JTG.

On Monday, his wife, fitness trainer and nutritionist Siliana Gaspard, pled for help finding her husband on Instagram, posting two photos of him and saying he'd been missing since Sunday at the beach. On Tuesday, she thanked the community and first responders.

View this post on Instagram

We would like to express our gratitude to the first responders who rescued Aryeh and to the lifeguards, coast guard, divers, fire and police departments for their continued efforts to help find our beloved Shad. . . Shad is a fighter, a warrior and a magical soul. We are hoping and praying for his safe return. As a family we thank you all for your concern and well wishes. Please continue to keep sending your positivity and prayers to our beloved Shad. . . From The Entire Gaspard & Chittick Family
A post shared by Siliana Gaspard (@silianagaspard) on May 19, 2020 at 10:48am PDT

Gaspard was described as black, 6-feet-7, and weighing 265 pounds, with tattoos on his right shoulder and left chest.

Anyone who has seen or has any information regarding Gaspard is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone who wants to be anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Patch will continue to update this developing story with more information.

- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

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